I don't know you personally, but I'd like to offer my congratulations to you as well.

pm28570

10-11-2010, 08:09 AM

Looking good!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs244.snc4/39537_1653428660801_1389578810_1724231_5135646_n.j pg
Hmmm......notice the similar look to Rick in the photo and Brdad's avatar? Awesome photo Rick and an outstanding achievement! Congratulations!

dubord207

10-11-2010, 08:17 AM

There was no doubt Rick would do it as KK clearly stated "there's no quit in Rick." What a huge deal. Very happy to have followed your trek and to count you as a friend!:)

Waterski

10-11-2010, 08:25 AM

Congratulations on the end of a lifelong plan and dream. It has been a pleasure to have been able to follow your logs along the way Rick. That picture is worth a thousand words. Wonderful!

WhereRWe?

10-11-2010, 08:26 AM

Just a reminder to the many, many new members we have who don't know Rick.

Attroll (his geocaching name) is the webmaster and originator of GeocachingMaine.org. He has hosted several great geocaching events, and is well know and well liked by the Maine geocaching community. He is an avid hiker, and also hosts the website WhiteBlaze.net (http://whiteblaze.net/), a community of Appalachian Trail enthusiasts.

He started hiking the AT in Georgia in March, and has hiked over 2,000 miles.

Again, CONGRATS, Rick!

Sabby

10-11-2010, 09:54 AM

Congratulations Rick!

I don't think I could ever complete the hike. Certainly not in one summer as you did.

I admire your dedication and stamina.

brdad

10-11-2010, 11:03 AM

Hmmm......notice the similar look to Rick in the photo and Brdad's avatar? Awesome photo Rick and an outstanding achievement! Congratulations!

As I've always said, if you guys would just try a little more to be like me the world would be a much better place. :p:p:p

tat

10-11-2010, 12:29 PM

Way to go!! That is an impressive accomplishment and a story of a lifetime.

I saw that Rick was online just a few moments ago - I'm surprised that he didn't say something.

Mainiac1957

10-11-2010, 05:53 PM

It has been awesome following your trip. Glad you were able to summit on the day you wanted to. Now back to the real world I suppose. :rolleyes: Congratulations on the accomplishment. Well done my friend!:cool:

Team2hunt

10-11-2010, 06:11 PM

Congrats and best wishes. It has been interesting following your logs. :)

fins2right

10-11-2010, 07:59 PM

Awesome, Congrats Rick!!!

JFamilySebec

10-11-2010, 08:06 PM

I also don't know you personally but have thoroughly enjoyed reading your logs. Congrats on fulfilling your dream!

cachecrashers4

10-11-2010, 08:26 PM

Congrats on your awesome accomplishment!

shuman road searchers

10-11-2010, 08:43 PM

Thanks for keeping us up to date with your journey and congratulations!

4ccnhikers

10-12-2010, 12:42 AM

It's been great following your blog, and I'm SO glad you made the summit successfully! Can't wait to read about the last 11 days of the hike! Congratulations! :D:D:D

parmachenee

10-12-2010, 08:39 AM

Charron and I both enjoyed meeting up with you in Eustis as you neared the final weeks of your trek. The stories of your adventures were very interesting. Most of us can't imagine the mixture of feelings running through your mind and body as you stood at the top of Mt. K. It has to be a life-changing experience that includes a life-time of memories! :D Congratulations!!

EMSDanel

10-12-2010, 09:00 AM

Rarely in life does a person have the opportunity to persevere and accomplish a personal goal the way you did. What an outstanding sense of accomplishment you must feel. So many of us have been watching your progress and cheering you on. My heartfelt congratulations Rick!!! :D:D:D

Davidson 7

10-13-2010, 10:52 AM

Congratulations Rick!! What a fabulous journey you have had! :D

dufzor

10-13-2010, 12:43 PM

Congrats to Rick! What a great achievement!!!

JustKev

10-13-2010, 08:31 PM

Congrats, Rick, from JustPJ66 and I both.

Kaching Karen

10-14-2010, 07:49 PM

Jon and I climbed Katahdin a week before Rick did. It looks like he got better weather. But it was so much fun to sit at the top and hear the whoops and screams of the thru hikers. There were a lot of people there on October 3rd, but people were polite and got out of the way so the thru-hikers could have their pictures taken at the sign. We were all in awe of their accomplishments. Congrats, Rick, you had a truly awesome trip.

attroll

10-14-2010, 10:04 PM

I would like to thank everyone that stood behind me during this endeavor. I wish everyone could experience what I just did. The camaraderie was something beyond what I thought it would be.

I am sorry that none of you came to the last leg of the hike with me. I appreciate those that wanted to. I donít think any of you would have appreciated the weather on the day of my summit going up over the bolder fields and The Hunt Spur leading to the Table Lands. Once I reached the bolder field area and was climbing up and over the edge out of the tree line the wind immediately picked up to above 35 mph gusts. I was worried I might have to turn back. The only thing that kept me going was the fact that no other thru hiker had turned back and that I did not want to do this climb again. Once one the Table Lands the winds were not too bad but it was windy. The last climb going to the summit had snow on it, you just had to watch you footing. I was bundled up real good but my face was freezing from the cold wind blowing. I spent about a Ĺ hour at the top and headed down to avoid getting caught in the dark. The wind died down some in the afternoon but did not go away.

Now come the challenge of the transition of coming back to society.

Thank you all for following my journal and standing behind me.

Attroll

brdad

10-15-2010, 07:17 AM

It's good to have you back and look - the site is still up! :)

vicbiker

10-16-2010, 07:17 PM

On the last day of my bike trip I met a man in New Sharon who had also biked across the country...he told me to watch out for a period of extreme depression...I really didn't understand what he meant, but it wasn't long before I found myself feeling really depressed...I had just spent every day for the past two months doing what I love to do and now was back working, struggling to make ends meet. So, old buddy watch out for depression.

masterson of the universe

10-17-2010, 06:56 AM

I can understand the depression part. Not just because you are having to go back to the daily grind after being at one with nature for so long, but to have completed such a large life goal that you've been planning for so long. It's the anticipation in life that keeps us going. Once you have completed the goal, you're left with an emptiness as to what to do next...

benandtina

10-17-2010, 09:46 AM

Congratulations Rick on your unbelievable accomplishment! All the best to you!